I have a general question. What are the pros and cons of breeding your bitch two cycles in a row. Given she is old enough and is of good quality and passes all genetic testing for health? I have been getting mixed responses here in America and would love some of your input.

In the UK the Kennel Club will not register puppies born from consecutive seasons (without a vet's written approval before the mating takes place), and most breed clubs will expel the breeder from their ranks.

It is not an acceptable thing to do.

Hi JG sorry but that ruling has changed again and they will register pups from consecutive litters now.Gillian

This is true only for breeders that don't need a breeders license. I think the reason for the change was the administrative nightmare being caused by the applications to waive the rule.

It would generally be acceptable to breed the next season if there was a good reason, but not as genearal practice. A good reason would be considered a bitch who lost most of her litter, and say only had a singleton puppy, especially if she had been difficult to get in whelp previously, and was running out of time.

Also some breeds come into season at long intervals, soay 10 months, and it would be OK to mate on a succesive season of this length, if waiting another one might make the bitch too old etc.

Agree with you Brainless
If a genuine good cause like the one you stated or if a bitch had developed pyometria following a litter and received the prostaglandin treatment and it was the vets advice next season etc.
Should not be done just because "we can with the KC"!
When my bordeaux bitch had her litter and encountered problems after birth - she was allowed by the vet to go over, suffered eclampsia and as a result produced hardly any milk so we hand reared the litter - I did consider breeding her next season as she was so depressed not having her litter. However decided against it as thought it was the right thing to do. Maybe I should have done it though because next season she had a phantom pregnancy - maybe she really wanted a litter??? Who knows how they think ehh???

D**n! I can't keep up with all the rule changes (which seem to be getting laxer instead of tighter:( )

Well originally the KC applied the not in 12 months rule across the board as the new breeding of dogs act has this rule for registered breeders.

What was happening that registrations were being refused where bitches whelped a few days early or had 10 month seasons. They decided it would be allowed for non registered breeders if they had their vets back up and applied in advance. Unfortunately they must have found they were too slow dealing with applications fopr the waiver and it was becoming too dificult to administer.

I still think the KC should only register puppies from Health tested stock only!

Trouble is they are a business and they would loose too much of it! The puppy farmers would go elsewhere.

There is a source of commercially bred pups inour bred. They used to be KC registered and we knew what they were up to how many litters etc. As the breed club was able to prove they were being resold (against the KC code of ethics) the registrations of future litters were stopped. All that happened was they s4et up Dog Lovers registration, and transfered ownership of the bitches to breed the remaining allowable KC litters. The poor bitches were mated every season, and one by 3 years old had five litters.

This is a big No No, the female needs at least one missed season to recover from the last litter.
Tracey

Generally not, but I must say it crossed my mind to with one of my bitches who had a 10 month gap between seasons, but decided against it.
Certainly not if they cycle regularly at 6 months!!!!!

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

I agree Jo its a depressing thought why would anyone want to if they considered their bitches welfare.

Tibetan Mastiff's only have one season a year some time between October and January. In our case it would mean a 2 year gap between litters.Also meaning that if you bred from a top bitch, she would miss crufts, every time she is bred from